Where Eagles Gather

By Susan Skylark

There's something odd going on with the renovations of an historic old hotel, at least if three little old ladies are to be believed, but who would believe them over the suave, and ludicrously wealthy, Mr. Cool? The feds and the local officials sure aren't listening, but Gwen knows the truth is far more terrible than even their venerable imaginations can contrive, but who can she tell or would believe her if she did? Worse, the plot brewing within its walls might sink the whole world into darkness, not just stir up controversy in one dinky little town, for there's an evil within far worse than black mold. And when she finally does find allies, they can't do a thing about it! Great Aunt Phyllis is taking sword lessons just in case, but even she is no match for an evil of this magnitude.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Susan Skylark
• Release date: Aug 11, 2021
• ISBN: 9781005335205

Susan Skylark

Once upon a time there was a sensible young lady who pursued a practical career, but finding it far less fulfilling than the proponents of the modern fairytale promulgate, she then married a clergyman, much to everyone’s astonishment, including her own, and in proper fairytale fashion keeps house for the mysterious gentleman in a far away land, spending most of her time in company with a very short, whimsical person who can almost speak English. She enjoys fantasy, fairy tales, and adventure stories and her writing reflects this quaint affectation. She considers Happy Endings (more or less) a requisite to good literature and sanity, though real stories never, truly end.

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Where Eagles Gather

Susan Skylark

Copyright 2021 Susan Skylark

Smashwords Edition

Thank you for downloading this ebook. This book remains the copyrighted property of the author, and may not be redistributed to others for commercial or non-commercial purposes. If you enjoyed this book, please encourage your friends to download their own copy from their favorite authorized retailer. Thank you for your support.

Table of Contents:

Chapter 1

Chapter 2

Chapter 3

Chapter 4

Chapter 5

Chapter 6

Chapter 7

Chapter 8

Chapter 9

Chapter 10

Chapter 11

Chapter 12

Chapter 13

Chapter 14

Other Books by this Author

Sample Chapter of ‘Things Unseen’ Book II in this series

‘In Which Iris Misses Tea,’ excerpt from ‘Of Tea…and Things

‘The Pallid Knight,’ Excerpt from ‘The Greylands’

‘On Sleeping Beauties: A Foible,’ excerpt

Excerpt from ‘Shadow of the Unicorn’

Excerpt from ‘Over the Hills and Faraway’

Excerpt from ‘The Serpent and the Unicorn: Book I’

1

So the eagle has a chick, has he? came the mocking voice, How sweet!

Raven drew his stony gaze away from the hospital bed and focused his keen eyes on the intruder instead, what is that to you, Shadow?

Laughed the other derisively, absolutely nothing! I’m not afraid of you or a dozen like you!

Certainly not, replied the man gravely, returning his gaze to the boy in the bed, that would be foolishness indeed, rather it is my Master you must dread above all else, even your own wretched lord.

We’ll see, wraith, we’ll see! snapped he, For my own part, I think it is all propaganda and wishful thinking! If your dread master was so powerful, why hasn’t he done something already? Why hasn’t he finished it? Why didn’t he prevent it in the first place? He turned his scoffing gaze upon the pathetic figure in the bed and triumphed, why does he let them suffer and die? He turned his burning and exultant gaze upon Raven for a moment before striding from the room as if he had just won the Olympic Gold by such a wide margin that there could be no dispute from any official or lesser athlete. Raven ignored his theatrics and continued to watch the boy.

Suddenly a hundred lights started flashing and a cacophony of shrill beeps and alarms filled the air, Raven drew aside as a bevy of alarmed nurses and doctors flew upon the scene. They tried valiantly, shocking him again and again, shouting orders and trying ever more desperate measures but nothing reversed the mournful tone of the monitor that showed his heart beat no more. At last, the head physician shook his head gravely as a nurse drew a sheet over the unmoving form, he announced the time of death and everybody withdrew, to attend to those who might still benefit from their efforts.

As the last nurse exited the eerily silent room, she said quietly to Raven, who stood waiting in a forgotten corner, I’m sorry, there was nothing we could do.

I understand, said he, and I appreciate all your efforts even so.

She frowned slightly at him, are you his father?

No, said he solemnly, but I’m the closest thing to family he has left.

She nodded, his mother and sister didn’t even make it this far; from what I hear it was a terrible crash. She glanced back at the still form, draped in its informal shroud, perhaps in a small way it is a blessing?

All things work together for good, quoted he.

She gave him a parting look, as if she thought him mad for thinking any good could come out of such tragedy, saying as she went, you’re welcome to stay a little longer, but they’ll be up to do paperwork and move the body shortly. He nodded his understanding and she hastened off upon other errands, oblivious to the look of joyous anticipation that had replaced the continued gravity on that grizzled face.

He settled again in his chair, the room now quiet and dark, only the light and noise from the hall intruding into the tomblike ambiance, at least until the boy himself broke the stillness. He gasped like a man suddenly pulled from beneath the waves and sat up in bed, but after that initial moment of shock and confusion, he lay back and seemed content with studying his situation and surroundings, an eager grin lighting up his countenance as his eyes fell upon his old friend. Raven?! breathed he, What has happened? Where am I? What is going on?

Not here, whispered he, as several official looking people entered the room, some with a pile of paperwork and others seemingly come for the body.

All of them stopped, stared, shared a puzzled glance, rechecked their paperwork and the room number, and then stared again, before the person holding the biggest stack of paper accosted Raven, unable to take his eyes off the grinning lad in the bed, this can’t be right?! We’re here to…

It’s the correct room, all right, grinned Raven as widely as the boy, but I’m afraid the patient isn’t going to be all the cooperative, disagreeing entirely with the doctor’s pronouncement.

The man stared at Raven as if he was speaking a foreign language, asking after a long and awkward pause, we’re here to remove a body and fill out the attendant paperwork, but you are telling me he isn’t dead?

Quite, agreed Raven cheerily, but that’s just my opinion of course, perhaps you should consult a professional? The boy laughed in delight while the hospital staff exchanged a stymied look and a shrug, dashing off as quickly as protocol allowed.

Suddenly the room was alive again with doctors and nurses and a herd of others that had no reasonable excuse to be there except curiosity to gawk at this seeming miracle. Raven again drew aside and let the professionals have their say while the nurses tried to herd out any extraneous people and restore order. Raven watched it all from his corner, his eyes dancing with utmost amusement and joy.

Finally only the head physician remained to question the witness, what happened?

Raven shrugged, all your machines and gizmos and technology and medicine couldn’t save him and you declared the lad dead. And then he wasn’t.

I don’t understand, said the doctor with a grim shake of his head, I’ve never seen the like! Even if he had managed to survive with those injuries, he should have been a vegetable for the rest of his life, but aside from some superficial bruising I can’t find anything wrong with him, physically or mentally!

Can I take him home? queried Raven.

But…?! stuttered the physician.

Raven barked a laugh, you’ve said yourself there’s nothing much the matter with him, but haven’t you ever seen a miracle before? At the man’s flummoxed look, Raven continued in a less jolly, more solemn vein, perhaps you’ve just never realized it when you have, putting it down to luck or medicine or technology or whatever. Poor man, no wonder you are absolutely confounded! He smiled encouragingly, but now you know what to look for, and even better, perhaps you can know Who to look for, at the doctor’s wondering stare, the man finished, the One who made this possible of course! Leaving the physician to his astonishment and hopefully some metaphysical musings, Raven addressed the boy in the bed, Tristan by name, come along lad, there’s naught to do here but scads of paperwork, let’s go home before we are forced to write ourselves to death!

Certainly, replied he, leaping from the bed as if he had not been placed therein with many a shattered bone and crushed organ only a few hours prior. Good night, said he politely to the stymied physician as they passed, too confounded even to protest that perhaps they should keep the boy overnight for observation. They passed many a gaping and gawking figure in the hallways, but Raven said nothing and didn’t make eye contact, the boy doing the same, thus did they escape out into the parking garage and into Raven’s vehicle without complication or delay.

As they drove off into the night, at last Tristan could contain himself no longer and burst out, what was that?

Raven too burst asunder, but with delighted laughter rather than any sort of coherent reply, but at last he contained himself and asked of the boy, what do you remember?

Tristan sat back in the passenger seat and mused aloud, we were going to a concert, mom and Carrie and I, just enjoying the ride and the time together and then mom screamed and I thought I heard a truck’s horn and screeching tires and then everything was noise and pain and motion and then nothing… He looked at Raven in shock, my mother, my sister?

Raven shook his head, they didn’t even make it to the hospital.

And me?! gasped the boy.

Died an hour later, continued he in the same grave tone.

And now? asked Tristan quietly, solemn as the dark before the dawn, but with a hushed eagerness, as if in anticipation of the imminent sunrise.

Raven’s smile lit up his whole face, that’s what I’m here to tell you.

We’re moving in with Aunt Phyllis?! repeated Gwen in astonishment as her mother apprised her of their future plans.

It isn’t my first or even fiftieth choice, said she, but what else can we do?

I’m just supposed to move to Podunk, North Dakota and do what? protested Gwen bitterly, What about college and friends and any sort of a life?

I think they at least have indoor plumbing, smiled her mother archly at her daughter’s drama, and maybe even TV, though it is probably black and white.

All right, all right! protested the girl ruefully, raising her hands as if to ward off any more of her mother’s humorous attacks, I suppose there’s nothing else to be done and what are my paltry little concerns compared to the dire straits we find ourselves in? She fell into her mother’s arms and wept, sorry to be selfish, mom! I know you’ve tried so hard, I just wish dad…

I know, honey, I know, cried she into her daughter’s hair, but it can’t be helped and it isn’t our fault and we’ll just have to make the best of it, but at least we have each other. They sobbed together for a few moments, before their sense of the ridiculous got the better of them and they were suddenly apart and wiping their eyes and smiling sheepishly at one another before bursting into a relieved laugh at their mutual awkwardness.

I’d better start packing, grinned the girl, mostly at herself, but underneath it all, so happy to have such a home and family to fall back on when the world fell apart. Her mother watched her go with a proud sparkle in her eye, knowing come what may, the girl would be all right.

The move was accomplished, mom was installed as the assistant cook at the school, not an elementary school or a high school but just the school, for the town wasn’t big enough to have separate institutions for each strata of education, but at least they had color TV. Gwen found herself a job at the local vet clinic, she assumed as kennel help, but soon discovered she would be doing everything from answering phones to assisting with surgery, as with the school, the place wasn’t big enough to employ someone who wasn’t a jack-of-all-trades. She was rather astonished to see even the old vet himself mopped floors on occasion!

Aunt Phyllis was actually Great Aunt Phyllis to Gwen, but as it made her feel old, it was just plain Aunt to them both. She was the receptionist at the school and had been able to help secure the coveted title of ‘lunch lady’ for her niece in distressed circumstances and gladly did she provide a home for the otherwise abandoned pair, especially as she felt the years pressing ever harder and more sorely upon her, both physically and emotionally, though mentally she was just as sharp as ever. She was a widow whose grown daughters lived too far away to see their mother more than once a year and she was delighted with the prospect of company, to say nothing of the relief it would be to actually have someone able to vacuum the upstairs hall on occasion, as she had almost decided to sell the little two story house in despair because she could no longer maintain it with her deteriorating physical capabilities.

They arrived in Podunk a week before school started, their few worldly possessions packed into the back of a thirty year old station wagon that Molly’s father had bought new, and since her husband’s sudden vanishment or desertion six months prior, was the only transportation left to them. They left the busy and bustling suburb that had been Gwen’s home her entire life, drove for a day or two across endless fields of corn, broken only by an occasional patch of what her mother declared to be soybeans, and at last arrived in the quiet little town that Gwen idly wondered if it weren’t rather more comatose than merely sleepy. But whatever be the case, it was now home.

And there was Aunt Phyllis to meet them as they pulled into the drive, the long summer evening pleasantly cool as autumn drew nigh. Hugs were exchanged all around and excited welcomes and best wishes espoused by the delighted aunt, before she ushered the weary travelers, with their perishable treasures, namely a bedraggled philodendron and an even more wretched cat, who protested such a move even more vehemently than his mistress, into the quaint little house. Gwen happy to see it wasn’t the cookie cutter beige entity of suburban familiarity but a unique domicile with personality and hominess oozing from the lamplit windows, one that had been lived in and loved for generations. While it was small and had its quirks, it certainly beat the cramped little apartment they had been forced to inhabit after dad…but no more of that, she would not dwell on such wretched thoughts when there was such a delightful and delighted creature as an Aunt Phyllis to attend to, like some genial fairy godmother out of the fairy tales! Happily did they go in to a late supper and a much needed rest, especially the horrified cat.

Mom settled into her new career like a duck onto a pond; Aunt Phyllis’s house and welcome were such that it felt, after only a week, that her place had always been Home. By the time school started, everybody had found employment and budding relationships in the community and even a semblance of a schedule as the first rosy buds of their new life seemed like to burst into a promising and radiant Spring, hardly believable after the harsh and turbulent Winter they had just endured.

Gwen’s musings were cut short as Aunt Phyllis bustled out of her room, radiant in a scarlet paisley shirt, fake pearls, and too much cheap perfume, clutching her giant-economy sized purse and rather massive Bible in her gnarled hands. She took in her guests, apparently lazing over breakfast when it was time to be out the door and on their way, said she in astonishment, aren’t you ladies coming to church this morning?

The younger women exchanged a startled look, they had completely forgotten about such a thing in all the recent upheaval. Gwen was about to protest that perhaps they should be allowed a Sunday off, but remembered all her Aunt’s great kindness and would never dare insult her apparently strong feelings on the subject. With a smile of mutual understanding, both the chastened ladies hastened upstairs to prepare for the morning’s adventure. Ten minutes later they had all piled into the ancient lady’s equally venerable sedan and were off as swiftly as such chauffeurs ever drive, Gwen surprised the guy on the rusty bicycle they passed didn’t easily catch up!

It’s adorable! smiled the girl in approbation, as she got out of the car and made a study of the small, century old building, blinking in surprise as her Aunt failed to lock the vehicle but led the way proudly into the foyer. They were introduced to the Pastor and his wife, a squat round couple in their middle years, he with glasses and vague but kind eyes, his wife a dumpy little figure with a sad, but welcoming, smile. They were seated in the ‘family pew’ as Aunt Phyllis dubbed it, a cushioned but solid wood bench located somewhere in the back third of the church. Gwen vaguely noticed the young man of rusty bicycle fame come in shortly after their party, taking a quiet seat in a far corner, but most of her attention was held by the building itself, a far cry from the churches she was used to attending, and the attendant thoughts this realization inspired.

The sparse crowd, filling less than half the spacious sanctuary, finished meandering in, a few last minute gabbers abashedly rushing to their seats as the piano began to play, the pastor’s wife at the keys. In a sleepy but firm tone, the pastor welcomed them all, made a few announcements that meant nothing to the wondering Gwen, and then after reading a Psalm or two, he invited everyone to stand and join in the singing of a few obscure hymns, which he led in a shaky but confident voice as his wife accompanied on the piano. They were seated, more Scripture was read and then he spoke for about half an hour. There was another hymn and a closing prayer and then everyone met out in the foyer for coffee and conversation, Aunt Phyllis delighting to introduce her guests to all and sundry.

The overwrought Gwen drifted away from her mother and Aunt, both caught up in conversation with some old friend of the family, finding a quiet corner of the room to collect her thoughts. Could this really be church? These fifty disparate people with their ancient music and quavering voices and dull little sermon? They didn’t even have a decent coffee bar! Just straight black coffee with sugar and creamer packets and those ridiculous little straws! Where was the professional concert style worship and the motivational, energetic speaker and the thousands of people that made you feel like you were really a part of something amazing?

So what did you think? came a voice rife with suppressed amusement. She jerked in her seat and blushed furiously to see him of the bike standing there grinning at her, flushing all the more to realize he was rather cute besides, but somehow she managed to stammer out a vague and appropriate comment, only deepening that knowing smile. He continued, probably not what you’re used to though?

No, smiled she ruefully, but what else is new?

My name’s Tristan, said he, holding out his hand.

She took it, cautiously at first, but his open, kind smile disarmed her awkwardness and she said, thrusting her hand boldly into his, Gwen.

Asked he teasingly, is that short for Guinevere by any chance?

Her blush returned as she studied her feet, but then she glared impishly at him and laughed, yes, but you are one to talk, as if your name isn’t straight out of the Arthurian legends too!

Of course, smiled he, we legends must stick together! I suppose your mother is as much a hopeless romantic as mine was?

She is at that, smiled the girl, and I’m afraid I’m not much better.

Me too, agreed he.

But he said no more as said mother and Aunt Phyllis meandered over, the former with wide, curious eyes and a strange, knowing smirk and the latter all matronly pride and exuberance, said the Aunt delightedly to them all, I see you’ve met Tristan!

They exchanged greetings all around, exchanged a few pleasant nothings, and then it was time to go home, as the congregation drifted apart to their separate vehicles, Aunt Phyllis commenting to nobody in particular all the way home on the prospects of her roast being overdone or not, leaving mother and daughter to each mull silently over their own private thoughts upon the day and everyone they had met.

The next morning found Gwen donning a pair of scrubs, scrounged from the local thrift store, that fit pretty well and weren’t too garish, nothing like Aunt Phyllis’s church blouse! She set off afoot for the local vet clinic, as it was only a few blocks from the house, on the edge of town. It was her first day of work and she was rather nervous, for while she aspired to one day venture into that intriguing profession, in truth she knew little to nothing about it, save what owning a cat had taught her. And worse, Doctor Bob worked on everything from guinea pigs to draft horses, creatures far more exotic to her sensibilities than the elephants and lions she saw fairly regularly, at least as a child, at the municipal zoo! But it was a lovely September morning and she was young and bright as the burgeoning day, as she set forth on this most intimidating of ventures.

As she walked along, there was Tristan beside her on his old rusty bike, grinning as blithely as the rising sun behind him. Off to work? queried he.

How’d you know? said she in surprise.

Small town, grinned he, and you thought social media was bad for gossip!

She smiled wryly and replied, just another thing I’ll have to get used to around here. What is it you do for a living?

He studied her with his keen, thoughtful eyes for a moment, before saying, this and that, a little bit of everything.

Ah, said she vaguely, but adding with a smile, but I suppose it keeps you out of trouble?

We can only hope, laughed he, riding off as he turned the corner, leaving her standing outside the vet clinic, a rather rundown but jauntily painted facility seemingly made entirely of aluminum. She took a deep breath and ventured inside, wondering if cows ever ate people, as dragons were purported to do and why her knight had ridden off so suddenly, leaving her to their fell appetite? She laughed at herself as Dr. Bob himself gave her the grand tour and introduced her to the one other employee of the little enterprise, the conversation swiftly forgotten as she immersed herself in her new duties.

Happy Birthday! shouted mom and Aunt Phyllis as Gwen came home that afternoon, she smiled brightly at them both, only a few tears in her eyes at the thought that her father wasn’t around to celebrate this time…but no more of that, she had a party to enjoy! Here she was, nineteen, and living in the middle of nowhere with no set plans for the future and no friends or academic career or anything she had assumed would be part of her life just a year gone. But there was Aunt Phyllis and mom and a homemade cake with those silly striped candles that were impossible to blow out, whatever her so-called expectations, life was still wonderful! She smiled brightly and joined in the fun.

Tristan finished his errands for the morning and parked his bike outside the rundown little house he had once shared with his mother and sister, smiling wistfully at the memory, but whistling tunelessly, he went inside to find Raven sitting in the battered old recliner, glancing idly through a five year old magazine, new the day of the accident, but which the boy had never bothered to get rid of. In fact nothing much had changed about the house in the intervening years, not out of nostalgia but just because it really wasn’t a priority any more.

What are we up to today? grinned the boy eagerly at his longtime friend and mentor.

You’re coming along well with your training, lad, said the man proudly, laying aside the periodical, but that isn’t what I’m here to discuss. At the man’s solemn but strangely eager tone, the boy sat abruptly, his eyes focused intently on the older man, who smiled in grim anticipation, are you ready to put your skills into action?

Already?! exclaimed the boy in surprise but not disappointment or fear.

Soon, lad, very soon, replied Raven.

What’s going on? persisted the curiously eager boy.

Smiled the man knowingly, there are some newcomers in town?

Yes, said Tristan faintly, what have they to do with any of this? They can’t possibly be…?!

No, laughed the man at the boy’s sudden anxiety, but someone from their past certainly is and he won’t be long in following.

What interest could any of that sort, no matter their previous relationship, have in the newcomers? queried the boy, perplexed.

That I know not, lad, said Raven grimly, but we’ll have to figure it out and see what we can do about it. Added he with a smile, now about this girl...

That night after Aunt Phyllis had gone to bed, mother and daughter sat at the table, sipping at their boring black coffee but so caught up in their conversation that neither noticed the dearth of a more interesting brew. Now about that Tristan boy? broached Molly with a curious smile.

What’s that smirk for? blushed Gwen, He’s just a guy who happened to say hello at church.

Then what are you blushing for? laughed her mother.

I don’t know, shrugged Gwen, exhaling uneasily in a long awkward sigh, he seems nice enough and it’s not like we’ve done anything but exchange greetings a time or two, adding with a wan, hopeful smile, but he’s the closest thing to a friend my own age that I’ve yet encountered here. Do you know anything about him?

Well, said mom, settling back in her chair and clutching her cup with both hands, I had a word with Aunt Phyllis this afternoon while you were still at work…

She was interrupted as Gwen protested, mom!

Her mother laughed lightly and said, don’t worry, that dear old lady won’t be spreading word of your impending engagement all over town quite yet! I was discrete, asking after a dozen other people we’ve met recently too.

So what’ve you learned? asked Gwen eagerly, leaning forward, elbows on her knees, a keen sparkle in her eyes.

His father died when he was little, cancer I think, and his mother and younger sister were killed in a car accident about five years ago, when he was only seventeen, replied Molly sadly, he’s been on his own ever since, except for an old family friend, Phyllis says the man drives truck occasionally and is out of town as often as not. Tristan’s a gregarious young man and you see him everywhere in town, she’s not sure how he makes ends meet but he seems to get by.

And I thought my life had been rough! sighed Gwen in surprise, That poor kid! Can we invite him over for supper some time?

Her mother could not help but smile, now who is alerting your great-hearted Great Aunt to your brewing romance? The pair laughed long and hard, and after sharing a few more heartfelt words, it was time for bed.

Hey Doc! called Gwen to the passing vet as she hung up the phone, he stopped and looked at her expectantly, Someone wants you to wash a cow.

He looked at her blankly for a moment as she told him who had called and reviewed their brief conversation, whereupon he laughed heartily at her and said, you really are a city girl Gwen! Cleaning a cow has nothing to do with bathing the beast. As he explained the operation she couldn’t help but laugh at herself and looking a little disgusted at the very idea, smiling he went into the back to grab his things while she turned to address the customer who had just come in. Blushing fiercely, she realized it was Tristan!

Hi, said he, as she envied his calmness.

Hi, replied she, a little more awkwardly than absolutely necessary, adding curiously, what on earth are you doing here?

The boy shrugged but smiled the more, do I need a reason to pop in and say hello?

I suppose not, agreed she, adding archly, goodbye!

He